Milatovic: Montenegro and Serbia share close ties, citizens’ needs above political friction

In an interview with the weekly NIN, Milatovic said that “economic indicators best confirm how mutually reliant the two countries are.”

“Serbia is among the largest investors in the Montenegrin economy, while tourists from Serbia have traditionally been one of the most important mainstays of our tourism sector. This data shows that the needs of citizens and businesses stand above the daily political friction we sometimes witness,” he said, adding that because of this, relations between Podgorica and Belgrade deserve a higher level of political responsibility.

Asked whether relations require a “reset,” Milatovic replied that this is not a single move for either side to make.

“Citizens rightly expect more from us. They expect relations between Serbia and Montenegro to be stable and predictable. That is why I wouldn’t talk about a reset as a single act. We are connected by families, friendships, culture, economy, and the daily lives of a large number of our citizens. Precisely because of this, these relations deserve more mutual trust,” the Montenegrin president said.

Regarding the question of whether Belgrade’s influence on Montenegro’s internal politics and the potential fanning of political conflict is a real phenomenon, Milatovic emphasized the independence of the two countries, saying that the citizens of each decide their own future individually.

“Good relations between Montenegro and Serbia rest on a clear principle: each state independently manages its internal affairs, while building cooperation with its neighbors through dialogue, respect, and equality. Any other approach, regardless of where it comes from, distances us from what our citizens expect,” he said.

On the issues of the Serbian language and flag in Montenegro, Milatovic said that “Serbs in Montenegro have their own country - Montenegro.”

“It is their home, just as it is the home of Montenegrins, Bosniaks, Albanians, Croats, Muslims, Roma, and all other citizens. Therefore, the rights of Montenegrin citizens are decided within Montenegro through the work of our institutions, respect for the constitutional order, and the conduct of internal social dialogue.”

The Montenegrin president assessed that “the question of the status of the Serbian language is legitimate and has a strong basis in the census results.”

“However, such issues must not be resolved through tension, blackmail, or political bargaining, but through a broad social and political dialogue that will ensure no citizen feels neglected or excluded,” Milatovic noted.

He added that Montenegro “must not be trapped between two wrong approaches: one that uses identity issues for constant political division, and another that pretends these issues do not exist.”